Jakarta, Oct. 15 -- Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said that the government's disbursement of Rp200 trillion (around US$12.2 billion) has begun to show tangible effects on national economic progress, as reflected in growing electricity demand across the country.

According to him, the increase in electricity usage is an indicator of progress in economic development, particularly in the industrial and manufacturing sectors.

"It seems that demand for electricity services is increasing, as are new demands for network expansion," the minister said on Wednesday after meeting the president director of the state electricity company PLN, Darmawan Prasodjo.

Sadewa said there has been a nationwide rise in electricity consumption, including...